The biological activity of platinum and methionine complexes: the antitumor action and inhibition of root growth by complexes of differing compositions and structures

The effect of 21 methionine-platinum(II) and (IV) complexes on growth and division of cells in maize seedling roots has been studied. The studied complexes did not possess properties inherent in typical cytostatic compounds, e.g. cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum (DDP). They inhibited root growth at higher concentrations as compared to DDP. In contrast to DDP, the studied complexes inhibited cell elongation to a similar or greater extent than cell division, did not prevent lateral root formation, and their inhibitory effect did not change with time. No correlation between the level of tumor growth inhibition and the pattern of root growth was observed.